LEGO is joining the robot party with it’s own robot learning system and toys. WeDo 2.0 will be part of the LEGO Education line.
The WeDo 2.0 system is in part inspired by the LEGO Mindstorms line that have been very, very popular with children over the years. The new system is aimed as a next step in the education about engineering, technology and even coding.
The LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 platform features hardware, software and LEGO bricks which allow kids and students to create their very own robots. There are also more than 40 hours of specialized hands-on projects for children in elementary school.
The new educational toys were unveiled at the CES 2016 trade show in Las Vegas. The robot is wireless and can be controlled via a tablet or a PC. The app even features lessons in physical sciences, life sciences, earth, space, engineering. The lessons are designed to motivate children to solve real-world science problems and give them the confidence they need to do it.
“Teachers know that science and technology skills are crucial for today’s elementary school students, but providing engaging projects that mean something in the real world is a challenge,” says Jeffrey Marlow, a geobiologist at Harvard University and founder of The Mars Academy education and development program, in a statement.
Amongst the projects are building a model of a Mars rover, exploring the Amazon rainforest. Students can also tackle the task of designing a robot that reduces the impact of weather-related hazards on humans, animals and the rest of the environment. There are many possibilities for solving this project and there is not one right answer which allows children to explore their creativity.
Lego Education WeDo 2.0 is available today on iPad, Android, PC, and Macs. Chromebook support will be available in the second half of 2016. The WeDo 2.0 Core Set plus software sells for $160. The WeDo ReadyGo 24 Student Class Pack sells for $2,260, and the WeDo YouCreate 24 Student Class Pack sells for $1,930. The YouCreate bundle does not include the extended software, which includes the curriculum pack.
